Italian sprint king, Mario Cipollini, has started racing after quitting the sport in a shock press conference three weeks ago.

The Aqua Sapone rider decided to leave the sport after failing to gain a place in this year’s Tour de France and the lack of harmony between himself and his team sponsors.

This was despite winning six stages of the recent Giro d’ Italia, bringing his tally to 41 wins, one behind the legendary Alfredo Binda.

However, Cipolini has been spotted riding several lucrative post-Tour criteriums and seems likely to return to full racing in next month’s Vuelta.